Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 1: Areca nut and other natural dyed range of Udupi Sarees made under the guidance of Kadike Trust were launched at Talipady Weavers Society Kinnigoli on Monday July 31.
Kadike Trust, an NGO which started Udupi Saree revival in 2018 has succefully brought back weaving from extinction in two districts with multi fanged approach like social media campaign, training with NABARD support and other measures.
As an initiative to make Udupi Sarees more eco-friendly and attractive, Kadike Trust had started natural dyeing experiments for the first time in Talipady Weavers Society Kinnigoli since 2019.
Shree Padre, executive editor, Adike Patrike who released the sarees with other guests said, “Even though areca was not grown in Japan, the royals used to were areca dyed attire from yarns imported from Vietnam and other areca growing areas.”
He lauded the efforts of Kadike Trust which worked relentlessly for the past five years to bring back Udupi Sarees weaving from verge of extinction.
Guruprakash Shetty, AGM Selco India congratulated Kadike Trust for successfully launching Udupi Sarees naturally dyed with equipment under 100% grant allocated by Selco India through the trust at Talipady Weavers Society. Solar water heater lighting, winding device, agitator, grinder and dryer was provided by Selco India through Kadike Trust.
M R Pai, former director Selco and organic farmer who was observing activities of trust from the beginning lauded the performance of the trust.
Mamatha Rai, president Kadike Trust who had guided the natural dying process explained the various steps involved in the natural dying method. Mamies School House of Natural Dye Education, Canada had given a scholarship grant to Mamatha Rai for an online natural dye course.
Areca, indigo, madder, wild almond, marigold, pomegranate, golden shower, coconut husk and eucalyptus dyed sarees with many shades will be produced in future under the guidance of Kadike Trust.
Dyer Vasudeva Shettigar, weavers Sadhana Ganesh and Vedavathi narrated their experience in the making of natural dyed Udupi Sarees.
Recently, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was gifted a natural dyed Udupi Saree by Adamaru Math seer Shri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji on the occasions of her daughter’s wedding.
Rukmini Shettigar, president of Talipady Weavers Society was present on the dais.
Dr Vani, Dr Kumar, Benita Soans, Sahana Soans, Jayaram Shettigar, weavers community leader, Mahesh Punchappady, secretary All India Arecanut growers Federation, senior media personnel Na Karantha Peraje, Ravi Kamila, Harsha, Manjunath, Mithun, Nishanth Shetty, Taranatha Gatti Kapikad, and Prasad Shenoy were present.
Trustees of Kadike Trust and weavers and directors of Talipady Weavers Society and well-wishers were also present.
Madhava Shettigar MD of Weavers Society gave the vote of thanks.
B C Shetty compered the programme.
Products will be available through website www.udupisaree.org on prior booking soon.